Everton, given their immense financial failures of late, were deservedly punished for their transgressions.
However, the scale of the punishment drew widespread frustration, with the fans, club, media and more all rallying to argue against a whopping ten-point deduction.
‘Don’t punish the fans for the club’s actions,’ cried the Super League six who threatened to destroy English football. It seems that notion has since been dismissed.
What was even more frustrating about the whole situation was how careful the club had been of late, buying as little as possible whilst overseeing the £60m sale of fan favourite Richarlison, the £45m departure of academy graduate Anthony Gordon, and the £22m exit of Alex Iwobi most recently.
However, the worry has now turned towards Jarrad Branthwaite, who has swiftly skyrocketed to become one of Everton’s greatest assets this season.
Journalist Joe Thomas, writing for the Liverpool ECHO, has now detailed how he thinks that touted transfer saga could pose a bigger threat next year than relegation.
He wrote: ‘In the directors’ box, next to director of football Kevin Thelwell, Gareth Southgate had been looking on. He could have been in Liverpool to watch any one of a number of England internationals.
‘The one that should have caught his attention was the player he has not yet called up. Everton’s biggest fight in January will not be against relegation. It will be in stopping the advances of clubs desperate to sign their fledgling star.’
Will Everton have to sell Jarrad Branthwaite?
Although their financial position has quite clearly fallen to a perilous position, fortunately they have completed all the big sales they were forced into making to somewhat balance the books.
After all, across the last three seasons they boast a profit in each one, with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules only allowing for clubs to lose a maximum of £105m across any three-year rolling period.
However, that has not stopped clubs from seeking to prey on the uncertainty at Everton, with a whole host of English clubs circling around the 21-year-old titan.
That should come as no surprise though, given how attractive a prospect he is.
Despite being so young, he boasts a maturity and experience beyond most in his role at his age, and therefore has an impossibly high ceiling. His nationality only aids that notion too, whilst being left-footed offers the balance that so many sides lack at the back.
Branthwaite has the world at his feet, and the Toffees must feel lucky to have him.
And yet, they will feel confident that, should they keep progressing under Sean Dyche, there would be little reason for him to push for an exit. His new long-term contract in October only emphasises that.
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